Rate
How quickly is national employment projected to change relative to its starting level?Use growthPercent for the rate, not for the number of jobs.
Growth Percentage vs Annual Openings: Read Both
A high growth percentage can describe a small occupation, while a large occupation can produce many openings even with modest growth because workers leave or change careers. Read both fields with employment levels and local evidence before drawing a conclusion.
| Decision field | Wind Turbine Service Technician | Solar Photovoltaic Installer | Information Security Analyst | Software Developer | Electrician | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLS 2024–34 growth rateMeasures projected proportional change. | 49.9% | 42.1% | 28.5% | 15.8% | 9.5% | 4.0% |
| BLS annual openingsMeasures average annual opportunities from growth and replacement. | 2,300 | 4,100 | 16,000 | 115,200 | 81,000 | 237,600 |
| BLS median annual wageAdds pay context without implying starting salary. | $62,580 | $51,860 | $124,910 | $133,080 | $62,350 | $57,440 |
| BLS entry educationShows access friction alongside outlook. | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Planning horizonConnects labor data to the user’s preparation timeline. | 24 months* | 12 months* | 48 months* | 48 months* | 60 months* | 3 months* |
* PathGauge editorial planning estimate, not an official program duration.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–34 projections and 2024 median wages · Reviewed July 16, 2026
Questions that change the decision
Use these lenses before ranking the table.
Flow
How many openings per year does BLS project from growth and replacement needs?Use annualOpenings as a national average, not a count of jobs currently posted.
Local proof
Do state, provincial, employer, and training signals agree with the national picture?Local licensing, project pipelines, and occupation mix can differ.
What to carry forward
- Never rank careers by growth percentage alone.
- Annual openings are projections, not vacancies reserved for new graduates.
- Check local postings and regulators after using BLS data to narrow the list.